Ayni
Travel that gives back
In the Andes, ayni means reciprocity: what you receive, you return. It's how neighbours share the harvest, and it's how we want you to travel, with the people who host you better off for your visit.
How we work
Four promises
Community-run, community-paid
When you visit a weaving cooperative, stay with a family or join a community-run walk, the fee goes to the community directly, at a price they set.
Fair work on the trail
We trek only with licensed operators who pay porters at least the legal minimum, respect the official load limits and give every porter proper boots, tents, sleeping bags and meals.
Small groups, light footprint
Private trips mean small numbers. We favour local hotels and guides, refillable water and visits outside the busiest hours.
Ask before the photo
We brief every traveller on simple etiquette: ask before photographing people, buy from the maker, and leave places as you found them.
Community-based tourism
Visits run by communities
Across the Andes, communities run their own tourism: weaving cooperatives where you learn natural dyeing from the people who do it, family homestays on the islands of Lake Titicaca, and guided walks through farmland led by local guides.
We pay the price the community sets, directly. We keep groups small and visits respectful, and we brief you beforehand so you know what to expect, what to bring and how to say thank you.
On the trail
Porters matter
On the Inca Trail and Salkantay, porters carry the camp, the kitchen and often more. They make the trek possible. We work only with licensed operators who meet these standards, and we check.
Official rules on pay and load limits change: we verify current figures every season (verify).
Fair pay
At least the legal minimum daily wage for porters, paid in full and on time (verify current rates).
Load limits
Packs weighed at the checkpoint and kept within the official limit (verify the current figure).
Proper equipment
Boots, waterproofs, a tent and a warm sleeping bag for every porter.
Meals and rest
Porters eat the same food as trekkers and sleep in proper tents.
Insurance
Accident insurance for every member of the trekking team.
Partners
Who we work with
A weaving cooperative
Sacred Valley
Natural-dye demonstrations and fairly priced textiles.
A community homestay network
Lake Titicaca
Family homestays on Amantaní, booked and paid through the community.
A porter welfare organisation
Cusco
Independent checks on our trekking partners' porter standards.
A rainforest conservation project
Tambopata
A share of every Amazon night supports forest protection.
Ready when you are
Tell us when you'd like to go and what you'd love to see. Your Peru Specialist will come back with ideas, honest advice on altitude and timing, and a clear price.